opinion

E.J.Dionne is a very thought analyst and writer and this column is spot on! My only surprise is that none of the extremists who regardly comment here haven't pounced on it. Perhaps they are still licking their wounds. As for Dionne's comment that this should 'settle a bitter debate,' one can only hope. Based on the inflammatory statement by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell however, that is not to be. Where are the real Americans who believe in fairness?

But it has now started a new bitter debate, maybe unintended, but a reality none the less. The small business owners are being targeted by “business haters” as a result of the recent campaign rhetoric. It has turned our best community heroes into villains overnight. This unintended consequence is a huge travesty to our business leaders just when we need them the most to create new jobs!

The demographics are rapidly changing away from the GOP. 50,000 Latino Americans turn 18 (voting age) every month. Texas, Florida, and Arizona could be blue states soon. If the GOP continues to dig in their heals and be on the wrong side of history on issues such as gay rights and the dream act, the GOP will become irrelevant.

Where are the real Americans who believe in fairness?" @ @ @ Whats "Fair" about the Gov redistributing wealth? Whats "fair" about 47% paying NO Federal taxes? Whats "fair" about taxing one group of people more than another, simply to make life "fair"- PS- Life ISNT FAIR PS2- Its NOT the Govt's job to make the world fair, or equal.

schultzdan, you need to define a small business. Is it on income or employees? No one believes that 'true' small businesses are evil, but the large corporations who just tried to buy this election are not interested in their own shareholders or 'doing no harm.' They are only looking out for the top executives. How about Citigroup, JPMorganChase, and GE for starters. Note that Citi's Sandy Weill, and Jack Welch have now issued mea culpa's. After they pocketed millions of course. No the current vibes are not detrimental to small business.

...and he also built a base of voters who don't apparently vote on his record, but more on what he campaigns...

So many untruths in this piece that I do not know where to start - let’s just go with the, people who voted for Obama knew what they were getting. If that were true, they would not have cast that vote, higher taxes, attack the coal business, attack of small business, winning on social issues and not economic issues - they voted, once again, for a person and not a plan to save America!!!!!

Congratulation to the president on his re-election. He won ugly, but won nonetheless. The result will be more partisan gridlock with inept stewardship of the economy by the Democrats. But on the positive side: when then economy goes into recession next year, and unemployment starts to rise again, he will no longer be able to blame Pres. Bush, and it will be amusing to see what responds he concocts.

SCHULTZDAN says,"...The small business owners are being targeted by “business haters” as a result of the recent campaign rhetoric."---I don't agree. Obama continually supported small business and lowered their taxes. People know the difference between small business owners and hedge fund managers and the Koch brothers. we all know small business owners in our towns and cities and don't hate them. Many are our family and friends. Sound familiar? Obama's proposed tax increases would leave most small business owners with the same or lower taxes as only those OVER $250K in profit would pay more and only on the part over $250K.

LOSTINSTPAUL says,Its NOT the Govt's job to make the world fair, or equal."----Then let's take away all the tax loopholes,incentives, and subsidies which give the wealthy an advantage.